Form I-130 Approved: What Are The Steps To Follow?
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    Form I-130 Approved: What Are The Steps To Follow?

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    U.S. citizens and LPRs can sponsor relatives for permanent residency by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relatives. This is the initial step in sponsoring someone for the legal immigration system to the U.S. As part of the petitioning process, an LPR or U.S. citizen must provide proof of their relationship to their loved one, such as a marriage license or birth certificate. Once your Form I-130 is approved, there are the following steps to follow.

    what are the steps after the i-130 approval

    Form I-130: Essential for Spouse Immigration to the U.S.

    Form I-130 is an important part of the process for a permanent resident or U.S. citizen to bring their foreign-born spouse to the United States. This form shows that there is a valid relationship between the person applying ( green card holder or a U.S. citizen) and their foreign-born spouse. 

    Once the Form I-130 is approved, your spouse can then apply for a visa or for permission to stay in the United States, depending on where you are. This form is highly important for bringing families together and making sure that spouses can live together in the United States, but it’s highly important to give the right information and documents to avoid any problems or delays with the immigration process.

    What Happens After I-130 Approval?

    When USCIS approves your sponsorship petition, it will forward it to the National Visa Center (NVC). Depending on your immigrant category and how much time has passed since you filed your I-130, NVC may issue you and your beneficiary a support fee bill with additional information about how to proceed.

    Notification of Approval

    Approval of an I-130 petition for alien relatives marks an essential step in the immigration process, as it means the USCIS has acknowledged your qualifying family relationship and set a priority date to issue you with an immigrant visa.

    Once USCIS approves your I-130 form, it will be transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC). Your case will be carefully evaluated at NVC in preparation for an interview at an Embassy or Immigration Court.

    NVC will collect any fees or required supporting documents for your case and assign you a unique case number to use throughout. Processing an I-130 Form approved by NVC could take weeks to months.

    The NVC will email you any status changes to your approval request. You can customize what emails you receive by visiting your notification center on the USCIS website and selecting specific notifications and their arrival frequency.

    Furthermore, you can set up a customized approval flow with additional trigger conditions, such as the request must have reached certain steps or an approver must be notified if an error occurs.

    Expedite Your Spouse’s Immigration Process

    Unlike most categories, immediate relatives, especially spouses, have an unlimited supply of visas available. This means that once an I-130 application has been approved, an approved beneficiary receives their visa immediately.

    However, most other categories require a waiting period, as the U.S. government issues only a limited number of immigrant visas yearly. A person’s priority date determines their place in line for receiving their green card.

    We are offering citizenship and immigration services that can assist families by gathering all required documentation before filing Form I-130. Our team of experts is on hand to answer your questions and guide the process along its entirety.

    The Procedure After the I-130 is Approved

    Adjustment of Status

    If your spouse is currently living in the U.S. and you share an eligible relationship, filing Form I-130 on their behalf to begin the permanent resident process can help expedite it along with providing a birth and marriage certificate as evidence of family ties and financial support for them. We can assist in compiling this documentation to meet all requirements.

    Once USCIS approves your I-130 petition, it will forward it to an intermediary office called the National Visa Center (NVC). All fees must be paid at NVC, and eligibility requirements must be met before your case can be evaluated.

    The NVC will notify the petitioner and beneficiary that they must meet with an interviewing officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to complete their immigrant visa application. Due to annual quotas or backlogs in specific categories, this process could take time.

    Interviewing can also be challenging for those on visas that do not permit dual intent. The National Visa Center has discovered that you secretly intend to immigrate permanently when entering the U.S. This can seriously affect adjusting status.

    What Happens After I-130 Is Approved

    National Visa Center (NVC) Processing

    The National Visa Center will invoice and collect fees and documents before scheduling your visa interview. Depending on which green card category is being pursued—consular processing versus adjustment of status processing—processing times can differ significantly. Those applying from outside the U.S. undergo consular processing, while those seeking it within it undergo adjustment of status processing.

    Your NVC will arrange a visa interview at one of the United States consulates or embassies after you undergo a medical examination approved by that embassy. Some embassies require results to be sent directly, while others will provide sealed envelopes for you to bring to your interview appointment.

    As part of the application process, it is critical that you regularly check your online CEAC account to see any messages or if the National Visa Center (NVC) requires additional documents from you. Furthermore, maintaining communication with your immigration attorney ensures you remain up-to-date regarding any developments in your case.

    Becoming Green Card Holders

    A Green Card grants lawful permanent residence and employment authorization within the U.S. You can present it as proof of identity and employment eligibility to employers when required to complete Form I-9. Additionally, it can help you apply for a Social Security number; however, you won’t become an American citizen or get a lawful permanent resident status until you receive your naturalization certificate.

    Once a petition is approved, it’s sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). Here, they’ll make sure all required paperwork and fees have been submitted and paid before forwarding it to an American consulate or embassy abroad—typically six to eight weeks after their arrival at NVC.

    Steps to Undertake After Your I-130 Petition Is Approved

    The NVC will arrange for you and your spouse to have an interview at its center, an essential step before applying for a visa. At this interview, questions about your background and motivations for applying will be asked of both of you; an attorney can help guide this process and prepare for this interview.

    Conclusion

    The approval of Form I-130 marks a significant milestone in the journey toward securing permanent residency for your relative. Throughout this process, maintaining regular communication with the NVC, checking for updates on your case, and consulting with an immigration attorney can provide essential guidance and support. Ensuring all requirements are met and following each step diligently will facilitate a smoother path toward spouse reunification and achieving residency goals.

    Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law Offers Top-Tier Immigration Services

    At Colavecchio & Colavecchio Law Office, we specialize in Green Card applications, Citizenship processes, Provisional Waivers (I-601A) and more. Fulfill your future with expert immigration assistance

    Let our experienced team guide you through every step of your journey. Contact us today to start making your American dream a reality.

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